According to a report by Fighters Only, Eddie Alvarez (left) is stalled in contract negotiations with Bellator.
Fighters Only reported Friday afternoon that Eddie Alvarez is having issues with Bellator Fighting Championships on a contract extension and the chances of it being resolved aren't realistic.
From web editor John Joe O'Regan:
Both sides have been in negotiations on a new deal for some time but a source tells Fighters Only that he and Bellator and "miles apart" on the value of a new contract.
The source says that the tone has "soured" recently and that a resolution now seems all but impossible, with the respective parties adamant that they cannot move from their stated positions.
Alvarez (22-3, 6-1 Bellator) had a seven fight win streak snapped and his 155-pound title taken by Michael Chandler last November in one of the year's best fights. However, he was oddly left out of the brackets for the impending lightweight tournament with promotion head Bjorn Rebney saying it wasn't the right move at the time. The 28-year-old is one of the promotion's highest paid fighters and most recognizable stars.
In a recent interview with Heavy MMA, Alvarez addressed his contract situation.
"I still have eight or nine months left on my contract with Bellator or one or two fights," Alvarez said. "I’m waiting to finalize things, but I believe we are going to be doing the fight with Shinya Aoki. That would be on April 20, but we just received the contracts and we are looking them over. Nothing is 100 percent right now, but that is what we are aiming to do."
Without a title, there's no championship clause to keep him in the promotion if he wants to leave for either the UFC or a much-discussed fight with Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez as a tantalizing possibility.
Bloody Elbow reported that Alvarez vs. Shinya Aoki II was a go for April 20 but as Alvarez said above, no official announcement has been made yet. It's important to note that he recently changed management, going with growing powerhouse Authentic Sports Management that boasts a roster that includes Rashad Evans, Miguel Torres, Matt Mitrione, Melvin Guillard and more.
0 recs | 96 comments
If the Aoki fight happens and he wins
Can’t wait to see him fighting in the UFC or Strikeforce.
Patrick Wyman - February 10, 2012
Had to lose his title to do so
One of these days it’d be nice to see this championship clause contested in court on whether a promoter can legally keep a fighter indefinitely because he happens to have a hunk of tin that’s only recognised by that promotion, and not any governing body or independent organisation. Something tells me if a Boxer were to be awarded a Bob Arum or Oscar de la Hoya belt and was told they couldn’t leave Top Rank or Golden Boy until they lost a fight with this ‘title’ on the line, there’d be lawsuits aplenty.
KJ Gould - February 11, 2012
is it really indefinite though? A one time extension, or even infinite if they come with pay raises like the franchise tag isn’t so bad. I think people make too much noise about something that really isn’t used very often.
Phildo - February 11, 2012
The Alvarez situation presents a timely reminder of the restrictive nature of the champion’s clause. Bellator is probably the only current U.S.-based promotion where you might see either a title holder or tournament champ challenge the clause. I doubt that organizations like Titan or Tachi Palace even think of telling guys they can’t go elsewhere if they win one of their belts. (Well, I’d be surprised if they do, at least.)
My guess is that it would be considered analogous to a covenant not to compete, which is standard in a lot of industries where key employees have talents or knowledge that would be of benefit to a business’s competitors. The strongest argument against enforcing the clause in the Bellator situation is that the relative inactivity of their title holders and tournament champs is an unfair restriction on their opportunity to profit from being a champ.
( . Y . ) - February 11, 2012
Boxing has that whole Ali Act thing that Zuffa hates ever so much.
pdl - February 11, 2012
And Zuffa pay to lobby against in Washington DC
KJ Gould - February 11, 2012
I would like to see him in SF
Mendes needs some fresh competition….
rscott94 - February 10, 2012 via mobile
...so does Melendez
mjanecek - February 10, 2012
Damn it
Haha you’re correct *Melendes
rscott94 - February 10, 2012 via mobile
Gotta go there
Melendez*
Our Bovine Public - February 10, 2012
Busted
There’s no asterisk in Melendes or Melendez!
( . Y . ) - February 10, 2012
....
I surrender and give up…. epic fail
rscott94 - February 10, 2012 via mobile
It's probably for the best...
crazedfan - February 10, 2012
Sonnenmeister - February 10, 2012
Yes, it can
The person that wrote/created this is an idiot.
Charles Awad - February 10, 2012
Maddox is epic fail
people use grammatical incorrectness on the internet for effect.
Rob Young - February 10, 2012
also his fucking graphics like this look like they're from a Geocities website circa 1996.
Rob Young - February 10, 2012
In other words, Maddox wants you to say "epically fail"
James Brady - February 10, 2012
Or that something was an epic failure.
I agree with him. I don’t think shitty grammar is very cute or funny
ElliotMatheny - February 11, 2012
The only thing more annoying than people who don't use proper grammar are the people who whine about it on the internet.
James Brady - February 11, 2012
I find people who speak with food in their mouths more annoying than that.
( . Y . ) - February 11, 2012
I get peeved
when people who are right in front of you don’t hold the door open, and let it slam on you. So uncouth
ElliotMatheny - February 12, 2012
Losing that belt was the best thing for Alvarez
Earl Montclair - February 10, 2012
As long as he wins his next fight.
POW - February 10, 2012
His value went down.
sgiblin - February 10, 2012
As did his rank
But if he beats Aoki then comes to the UFC, and has a busy 3 or more fights in a year schedule and takes home a few ‘Of the Night’ bonuses and goes on a good streak….I’d imagine his popularity and financial situation would be better than if he was still just the Bellator champ fighting 1-2 times a year.
Chris Groves - February 11, 2012
He said before that he didn’t really want to go to the UFC. Things may have changed since then, but at the time he was content at being the best in Bellator and being extremely well paid for the level of competition he faced. I’d like to see him in the UFC. The LW division is already nuts, he’d be a good edition. Despite me not liking him.
Tim Bernier - February 10, 2012
He has to go from being THE top paid fighter to an opening round fight that pays 10k/10k
which I imagine is a big drop off, and it would be against a nobody. I think if Bellator champs become notable enough while fighting there they are going to have a hard time getting them to fight in tournaments again just for a title shot.
mikedh - February 10, 2012
Do you really think he’ll only get 10k/10k if he fights in the UFC, or are you talking about another MMA promotion? I would imagine that if Alvarez signs with the UFC that he’d get paid much more than that, but less than what he got as a Champion in Bellator.
chrisbboy82 - February 11, 2012
I think he is referring to getting paid 10/10 in Bellator's opening round of their tournament
fighting a nobody.
Chris Groves - February 11, 2012
Sign with the ufc!
so many fun fights for him.
Tats16 - February 10, 2012
So... I guess the issue is...
Bellator want to pay him less? Or what?
Pyrgz Krum - February 10, 2012
Could Eddie make 145? I don’t think he has the wrestling ability to compete at the top of the UFC’s LW division.
MattParker117 - February 10, 2012
Probably not
He’s competed at 170 before, and he looks like a big lightweight.
Patrick Wyman - February 10, 2012
its always possible
ask kenflo!
That one guy - February 10, 2012
This situation points up one of the flaws in their basic format: What do you do with the champ after he loses the belt and feels he’s too good to be forced to go through a tournament to regain it? If this promotion stick around they’re going to run into the same problem with other champs.
( . Y . ) - February 10, 2012
No kidding.
Shit will really hit the fan when the champ loses in a non-title fight.
sgiblin - February 10, 2012
M'Pumbu?
wonderfulspam - February 10, 2012
it already happend, and much worse it happend to a journeyman in Travis Wiuff.
Shocbomb - February 11, 2012
Okay look, I'll tell you the truth for once
Eddie is being a complete diva and it has nothing to do with the money they are paying him. He is not going to sign on the dotted line until Bjorn Rebney provides an eyebrow waxer backstage at every event Eddie fights on.
Earl Montclair - February 10, 2012
How expensive can that be?
Get that wax, Rebney. C’mon.
KGNLuc - February 10, 2012
I know, right!
Stitch can groom them shits while he wraps Eddie’s hands!
Earl Montclair - February 10, 2012
As the owner of a rather large set of eyebrows i feel that should be his right not a demand.
mooseknuckle - February 10, 2012
Eugene Levy co-signs
Earl Montclair - February 10, 2012
medium seen - February 11, 2012
GUYS.
THEM EYEBROWS HAVE A FADE.
bigstupidsmile - February 10, 2012
Jesus, if you’ve been lying to everyone about this all along, what the hell else have you been lying about?
( . Y . ) - February 10, 2012
Good don't extend lose to Aoki fight again if you have to and sign with the UFC they will take him
MaZZacare - February 10, 2012
Either I'm drunk or you are.
Because that sentence confuses the shit out of me.
POW - February 10, 2012
he shouldn’t extend the contract
will most likely get sub’d by aoki
and if he has to fight one more time in bellator do it
than just go to the UFC
MaZZacare - February 10, 2012
Jesus man.
Call in the big guns. The Grammar Police can’t handle this one.
sgiblin - February 10, 2012
commas are your friend.
Chris Groves - February 11, 2012
Anyone else think this guy would be a nice welcome to the UFC for Eddie? (Plus a bonkers fight to boot)
MattParker117 - February 10, 2012
That fight is all wrong for Guida
Alvarez is nearly impossible to hold down and the stand-up would be a slaughter. And Alvarez’s gas tank is just as deep.
crazybones - February 10, 2012
Alvarez showed a little quit with Chandler's pace wearing him down
It’s a close fight, in my mind.
Charles Awad - February 10, 2012
Let's not pretend that Clay Guida is as good as Chandler
Chandler can actually produce offense.
discoandherpes - February 11, 2012
Eddie has a very good gas tank but I don’t think its fantastic now, Its a fight I would pick Eddie to win but I think it would be very close in the odds and can See Guida easily winning a decision.
Shocbomb - February 11, 2012
This guy needs to get into the UFC. I hope he doesn't get another shot
HaterSlayer - February 10, 2012
I don’t think he would well. His wrestling isn’t top notch and he seems to get rocked a lot. And he just gave up during the Chandler fight.
TheLastEmpress - February 10, 2012
I disagree
He got hurt very badly a couple of times and eventually was just spent.
I wouldn’t call that giving up.
Just losing.
RolloTomasi - February 10, 2012
I wouldn't say he gave up
But I would say he showed a little quit/some fear. He looked to me as though he got pushed too hard and just couldn’t push back anymore. I don’t think he’s used to that sensation, so it buckled him. Happens to a lot of great fighters when they feel pressure they aren’t accustomed to.
Charles Awad - February 10, 2012
Maybe
but to say he quit is a little too far for me.
RolloTomasi - February 10, 2012
"...just gave up"
Yeah, that description doesn’t tell the whole story.
Charles Awad - February 10, 2012
"Gave up" makes you think he has no heart
when if anything that fight showed how much heart he has.
Most guys would be dead after the beating he took in that fight.
He got caught early in the 1st (IIRC) and lasted to…….the 4th I wanna say? (IIRC)
RolloTomasi - February 10, 2012
Yep
He ultimately gave in a little, I thought. I’m cautious with how I describe it, though, because it took awhile— but I would credit Chandler with breaking his will by the end. Sounds harsh, but he ultimately gave in. No shame in it.
Charles Awad - February 10, 2012
I totally agree with you. I think he’s had so long where he hasn’t really been pushed when Chandler did, he just couldn’t live with him and sorta folded
StevenGiles - February 11, 2012
He didn’t give up. I give the guy major props for how hard he fought, especially considering how much blood he was swallowing from the cut in his mouth.
( . Y . ) - February 10, 2012
Would love to see Eddie in the SF cage.
Alvarez vs Noons for number one contenders match.
The Armchair Juggernaut - February 10, 2012 via mobile
Ding! Ding! Ding!
I_Mad - February 10, 2012 via mobile
Of course he's at an impasse
He’s way overvalued and now he’s not a champ and not worth the money to Bellator
Ricardo Arguello - February 10, 2012
Exactly.
I would like to know how much he was making with Bellator. I’m guessing it was a figure he would never make with the UFC.
sgiblin - February 10, 2012
if he was getting paid what some people were speculating, there’s no way he could be worth that on mtv2
Phildo - February 10, 2012
No XFC live thread, huh?
I’m a little surprised by that. More accessible than ROC.
Charles Awad - February 10, 2012
Its up. Roth is doing the pbp
Chris Hall - February 10, 2012 via Android app
If I'm Zuffa,
I want Eddie in Strikeforce.
Rob Young - February 10, 2012
I agree
Charles Awad - February 10, 2012
Alvarez vs
Diaz, Guillard, Miller, PETTIS, would all be great fights. I kind of hope to see him against Melendez though.
Or how about Melendez vs Alvarez at UFC whatever number?
Hart Thorson - February 10, 2012 via iPhone app
Wow...
From almost buying a state in Bellator to suddenly having a contract impasse with the company….this is some crazy shit!
I think I read this somewhere but doesn’t Alvarez train with Frankie Edgar?
jack knight starman - February 10, 2012 via mobile
His haircuit says he's from Jersey.
So, maybe.
sgiblin - February 10, 2012
I know they've trained together.
Don’t think they train together all the time though.
Sweet Scientist - February 10, 2012
Alright Eddie - just take a nice long break until your contract is up
Then get your ass to Strikeforce!!! Re-upping with Bellator = MMA purgatory
BrandtShaft! - February 10, 2012
Eddie
Would be a perfect signing for SF. Since they have no challengers at 155 for Melendez, it would be a good time to finally make that fight (albeit if Eddie can beat Aoki and not have his stock plummet even further with another loss)
HeadKickOfDoom - February 10, 2012
I can’ tbelieve there are still 9 months on that contract, that’s insane.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
The UFC doesn’t sign guys coming off a loss.
Kenya_MMA - February 10, 2012
fabricio werdum
tha dude - February 11, 2012
Sort of a technicality
Because they are merging the HW divisions.
Lavar Johnson was coming off of TWO losses heading into his UFC debut.
Chris Groves - February 11, 2012
They sometimes do if they also sign the guy who beat him
paythefighters - February 11, 2012
The UFC should sign him for 20 to show, 20 to win for one fight
And see if he can beat Jacob Volkmann.
mburtoni - February 10, 2012 via mobile
Can ANY lightweight beat Jacob Volkmann?!!?!?!?!
Chris Groves - February 11, 2012
Yes.
discoandherpes - February 11, 2012
It was a joke
I tried to go all hyperbole-ish…
Chris Groves - February 11, 2012
Yes
discoandherpes - February 12, 2012
Yes sooner or later I would like to see him in the UFC like I would all other top LW’s. If Zuffa can steal him away from Bellator the correct direction is for him to sign with Strike Force. It would be a nice size main event fight with Gil all made for you. It would make Gil happy and Eddie also fighitng what most fans feel is the 2nd or 3rd best LW. I would rather see him in the UFC then Bellator but hope if Zuffa signs him its for Strike Force.
Shocbomb - February 11, 2012
I say if Eddie does end up taking the Aoki fight and beating him, that he waits out
for his contract to expire.
I mean, I understand being the champion why he would stay with the promotion. He was considered a top 5 LW by most, he had a belt to legitimize his claim as one of the best, he was one of the highest paid guys in the promotion…he was on a good win streak etc etc
But now, he isn’t the champ, he’s barely considered in the top 10 by most, if any…and he doesn’t really have anything going for him.
For most guys, being a high paid champion of even Bellator is a pretty cushy situation…but to be the ex-champ and to have to go through the tournie and etc likely doesn’t seem appealing.
So if I were him, I would try and get over to SF or the UFC…especially if he beats Aoki, he will have re-proven himself as a top fighter, and be coming off of a win and will be good to get the Zuffa promotional push.
Chris Groves - February 11, 2012
you can’t wait it out. A contract is a two way street, with a number of fights in a set amount of time. The promoter has to give you the fights, and the fighter has to take them. If the promotion doesn’t offer you enough fights, like Jake Shields, you can walk when the time runs out. If you don’t take the fights, like a ton of people in the ufc, they just add time to your contract until you take them.
I really doubt Bellator will just let him sit out until the end. Long term contracts in this sport are silly. Long term contracts with anyone that isn’t Zuffa is extremely silly.
Phildo - February 11, 2012
I really wonder if Zuffa would sign him to UFC.
Strikeforce, perhaps, since their roster is depleted. But UFC? It might be viewed as legitimizing Bellator, because Zuffa would be signing someone who’s not even the top ranked fighter in Bellator. If the guy who lost the belt was deemed “UFC quality,” it would make the guy who currently holds the belt look all that much better.
( . Y . ) - February 11, 2012
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